Wire reel



J. J. SKUBAL WIRE REEL 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 18, 1957 m F 3 a 3 w a 5 .0 7 w g a 8 1H1: 0 H w w F 5 flm L m Q a mm 4 l A M IJ ATTORNEY J. J. SKUBAL May 9, 1961 WIRE REEL 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 18, 1957 INVENTOR. JOHN J. J'IKUBAl ATTORNE United States Patent G WIREREEL John I. Skubal, Milwaukee, Wis., assignor to McGraw- Edison Company, Milwaukee, Wis., a corporation of Delaware Filed Feb. 18, 1957,,Ser. No. 640,733

3 Claims. ('Cl. 242 1101) The present invention relates to adjustable reels adapted -to support, pay out, and rewind coils of wire or cable,

and the like.

It is a general object of the present invention to provide a reel having a hub which is manually expansible and contractible. to accommodate coils of wire and the like, having a variety of internal diameters.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an adjustable reel for wire and the like which includes a relatively simple means for expanding and contracting a wire-receiving hub radially relative to the axis of the reel. s

Specifically, it is an object of the present invention to provide a crank operated rotatable expander membeli adapted for translating 'rotative motion to a linearly mov-. able link member for expanding and contracting radially slidable wire-receiving, supporting carrier hub members.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a removable flange member normally defining a peripheral wire-receiving space with a companion oppositely spaced flange member, wherein the removable flange is adapted to be laterally movable relative to the stationary flange, and may be locked in selective lateral spacing position relative to the stationary flange to accommodate coils of various widths.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an improved brake for a revoluble wire reel, wherein the brake preferably comprises a strap of flexible material emb racingly engageable with a brake hub and having one end attached to a lever-like member having a handle portion for manual braking operation independent of a predetermined braking tension established by means of an adjustable wing nut threaded on a stud member in biasing relationship relative said braking strap member.

The novel features of this invention are pointed out hereinafter in conjunction with the detailed description of the preferred structure, which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. l is a perspective view of the reel contracted position.

Fig. 2 is a front elevational view of the reel, a portion being broken away to expose details not otherwise clearly shown, and with the reel being rotated clockwise approximately 180 relative to the position shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken along lines 33 of Fig. 2, and shown in fully expanded position.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary detailed view, partially in sec tion, and taken approximately at lines 4-4 of Fig. 3.

The major features of the reel are adequately shown in the perspective view of Fig. 1 and the elevational view of Fig. 2, while the other figures of the drawings serve to illustrate construction details.

It is common practice to mount the revoluble reel, indicated generally by the reference numeral 1, on a stationary support member, such as an upright standard, indicated generally by the reference numeral 2, or if so desired, to removably attach the reel directly to the chassis of a service truck. The reels are commonly employed shown in fully for unreeling or winding coils of Wire and cable used in servicing power and communication electric lines. The removable means for attaching the reel is shown in detail in Fig. 3,, wherein a mounting hub member 3 is provided with a coaxial bore 4 and a transverse bore 5 for receiving either a laterally extending support member (not shown) or an upright standardsuch as that disclosed in Fig. l.

The hub member 3 has an integral laterally extending hollow portion 6 (see Fig. 3) for receiving a stationary supporting shaft member 7. The supporting shaft -7 rotatably supports a tubular expander member 8 coaxial therewith. Y

The expander member 8 includes axially spaced sets of radially extending expander arms. One set of expander arms is designated in Fig. 3 by the reference numeral 10, and the other set by the numeral 11. The radially extending arms of each set are in alignment with respective arms of the other set. As more specifically disclosed in Fig. 4, the set 10 preferably includes four equally circumferentially spaced expander arms 10a, 10b, 10c and 10d. Each of the respective expander arms is pivotally connected to a toggle link 12 by means of a bolt and nut assembly 13. Each of the link members 12 is preferably formed with its free end 14 bent angularly relative to the longitudinal axis and arranged to be received in axially spaced apertures 15 of a respective tubular cross beam or wire carrier members 16a to 16d, inclusive, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4 to provide a slidable pivotal connection therewith. The bent portion 14 is engageable with opposed internal wall surfaces of the respective cross beams 16a, b, c and d dependent upon the direction of linear movement of the respective link members.

It will be apparent that the carrier or cross beam members may be of other than tubular configuration if so desired. A pivotal connection between the respective link members 12 and a cross-beam of channel material or the like (not shown) is within the scope of the present invention. However, a curved or tubular member provides a supporting surface offering relatively less abrasive contact with the wire coil.

The cross beams '16 are each radially slidable relative to the axis of the reel and are freely slidable'in the channeled spoke members *17' of the inner annular flange 19 and secured to the outer removable flange ring 20, respectively. It is to be noted that the spokes 18 of the outer flange are each respectively slotted to receive one end of the respective cross beams 16 for ease in removal of the said flange, as will hereinafter bediscussed.

As disclosed in Figs. 2 and 3, the inner end of the expander member 8 is fastened directly to. a conventional worm gear 25 in mesh with a worm 26. The worm 26 is rotatively supported and suspended between spaced apart aperturcd internal bosses 27- and 28, preferably integrally cast in, the gear box 29. The worm shaft 30 is revolubly positioned in the boss 27 and extends outwardly of the through aperture of the boss 28 and it is provided at its free end with an integral crank-engaging portion 31. The portion 31 is preferably provided with a rectangular bore for removably receiving the crank 32. For ease in rotating, and as an added support, the annular.ring 19 is provided with an aperture 33 for receiving the operating end of the crank.

Prior art reels have conventionally required dogs or other locking members for preventing collapse of the hub after expansion. The worm gear arrangement, as shown,

has proved to be an excellent means for providing motion to the hub, and in the present case a ratio of 30:1

between the worm gear teeth and the worm teeth has been found to be quite effective for these purposes.

It is conceivable, however, that other means may be used for rotating the expander member and locking it in the desired position. Worm gears are conventionally and pinion constructions which are difiicult to shroud from the elements, especially in field use where they are subject to the entrance of grit, pebbles and sand, in addition to snow and rain. It is also to be noted that although it is preferable for manufacturing and cost purposes to provide a worm gear 25 having teeth throughout its entire peripheral surface, a gear with a predetermined sectoral tooth portion (not shown) may also be used, with the sectoral portion covering only the effective angular rotative range desired.

It will be apparent that by manually rotating the crank 32 after insertion in the aperture 33 and into the bore of portion 31, the worm 26 will act to rotate the meshing worm gear 25 and impart rotative motion to the expander member 8.

The gear box 29 is mounted directly to the inner base plate 35 by means of circumferentially spaced nut and bolt assemblies 36. The face plate 35 may be welded directly to the respective spokes 17, as desired.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 4, the respective cross beam members 16a, b, c and d are fastened, by welding or other means, at their outer ends to guide members 39, slidably supported by the channeled members 40 secured to face plate member 41. Thus, the cross beam members are provided with lateral support at their outer ends during movement thereof. The face plate 41 is further secured to opposed tie bars 42. Each of the tie bars 42 is provided with registering longitudinally spaced opposed notches 46. The opposite end of each tie bar is bolted to the inner face plate 35.

Asv stated previously, the outer flange member, designated generally by the reference numeral 48, comprises an annular ring 20 secured to spokes 18, which, in turn are secured at their inner ends to guide bars 49. Each of the guide bars is apertured intermediate its ends for receiving a wing nut assembly 50. Provided with the wing nut assembly is a notched locking plate 51, releasably engageable with the opposed notches 46 of the tie bars 42. It will be apparent from Fig. 1 that the removable outer flange 48 may be positioned laterally relative to the inner members by unscrewing the wing nuts 50 and removing the appropriate lock plates 51 from their respective notches and resetting the outer flange 48 on the tie bar 42. as desired by realigning the plates 51 with appropriate and desired other registering notches 46 of the tie bars 42.

The braking mechanism is best described in connection with the views of Figs. 2 and 3, wherein there is disclosed a brake drum 60 secured to the outer face of the face plate 35 by means of an apertured flange 61 and the nut and bolt assemblies 36. It is to be noted that the through holes in the brake drum 60, face plate 35 and gear box.29 are in register for receiving the bolt and nut assemblies 36, thus assuming central alignment ofall rotating parts coaxially of the supporting shaft member 7. Embracingly engageable with the peripheral surface of the brake drum 60 is a flexible metallic strap 62. Both looped ends of the strap 62 are secured to spaced apart pivot pins 63 and 64 of brake lever arm 65. The brake lever arm 65 is pivotally attached to and rotatable on the pivot pin 64 which is further pivotally supported bya supporting plate 66. The plate 66 is, in turn, secured at its lower end to integral lateral projections of the mounting hub member 3. The support plate 66 is bent at its upper portion to provide a channeled portion 67. The channeled portion 67 is further apertured to receive a bolt 68. The bolt 68 protrudes through an aperture in the lever arm 65, and is further provided with a compression spring or washer 69 and a wing nut 70 for normally biasing the lever arm in a clockwise direction to give predetermined braking tension to the strap 62 for pressure against the brake.

drum 60.

Although two sets of axially spaced expander arms and 11 have been indicated as preferable, it is within the province of this invention to provide a single set of arms and respective links, if so desired. However, spaced sets do provide a relatively stableconstruction, especially where the reel is supported, as shown, from one end thereoff To load the reel the hub carrier Tmembers 'or Icross" beams 16a, b, c and d are preferably first contracted to a position less than the diameter of the wire or cable coil, such as, for instance, to the position shown in Fig. l, and in phantom view in Fig. 4. It is to be noted that if the cross beams are placed in fully extended or expanded position as shown in full lines of Fig. 4, the crank 32 may be rotated in either direction to contract the members, inasmuch as there .is suflicient free play to permit the links 12 to be extended in over-toggle position Without interference. Thus, by merely rotating the crank in either direction relative to full expansion position the carrier members may be contracted, and in the alternative, may be expanded to fully extended position radially relative to the axis of rotation.

The flange member 48 may be removed by unscrewing the wing nuts 56 sufiiciently to permit withdrawal of the lock plates 51 from the notches 46 of each of the tie bars 42.. The coil Wire can then be mounted on the carrier members of the hub, after which the removable flange 48 is replaced and the hub expanded until it engages the coil (not shown) at its internal diameter. As mentioned before, the flange member 48 may be positioned with the locking plates being secured in any of the spaced notches 46 of the tie bars 42 according to the width of the Wire or cable coil. The reel will rotate freely in response to a pull on the wire or cable, but to prevent the wheel from overrunning, the brakemay be adjusted by means of the Wing nut 70 to place a slight drag thereon. However, it is to be noted, that in case the braking force is to be increased from the pre-set adjustment of the wing nut 70, manual rocking operation of the lever arm 65 about its pivot 64 willprovide variations in pressure of the braking band 62 relative to the brake drum 60 Without departing from pre-set adjustment.

It will also be apparent, that the crank 32 is to be removed after the hub has been expanded or contracted and prior to permitting the reel to revolve during paying out or rewinding operation. Rewind operation is generally performed by manual rotation of the ring members of either the inner or outer flanges.-

I claim: I

1. An adjustable reel rotatable about an axis and comprising carrier means, expander means cooperable with said carrier means for producing-radial movement thereof, said expander means being rotatable about said axis and relative to said carrier means in a fixed plane normal to said axis, a plurality of spaced flange members, at least one of said flange members including means for laterally and radially slidably receiving said carrier means, a support member arranged to slidably support said one flangemember and including means for locking said one flange member in selected laterally spaced positions I g V V 2. An adjustable reel including an exp'ansible-contractible hub having an axis of rotation and comprising a plurality of carrier members angularly spaced about said axis and radially movable relative thereto, an expander member coaxial with said carrier members and rotatable relative thereto, said expander member including at least one set of angularly spaced, radially extending expander arms, link members each pivotally joining a respective expander arm at one end and pivotally engageableat the opposite end with a respective carrier member, means for rotating said expander member, whereby alternative '5 rotative motion in a selected direction of said expande member may be imparted to said link members and translated by meansof said link members to a respective alternative linear motion of said carrier members in a selected direction radially relative to said axis, a pair of laterally spaced flange members, one of said flange members being removable and including means for concurrently, laterally and radially slidably receiving said carrier members, and a plurality of tie bars laterally extending from the other of said flange members and arranged to support said removable flange member and including means for locking said removable flange member in selected laterally spaced positions relative to the other of said pair of flange members.

3. An adjustable reel including a radially expansible contractible hub having an axis of rotation and comprising carrier means, expander means cooperable with said carrier means for actuating radial movement thereof, said expander means being rotatable about said axis and relative to said carrier means in a fixed plane normal to said axis, a pair of laterally spaced flange members, one of said flange members being removable and including means for concurrently, laterally and radially slidably receiving said carrier means, said removable flange member being movable longitudinally relative to said axis and independently of said carrier means, a support member arranged to laterally slidably support said removable flange member and including means for locking said removable flange member in selected laterally spaced positions relative to the other of said pair of flange members.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,831,848 Doney et al Nov. 17, 1931 2,370,868 Luebke Mar. 6, 1945 2,502,894 Schlums Apr. 4, 1950 2,678,175 Wiig May 11, 1954 2,866,606 Westfall et a1. Dec. 30, 1958 

